Curle targets new number one

Notts County boss Keith Curle has identified the goalkeeper he wants to bring in to be number one at Meadow Lane.

Curle caused widespread surprise with his decision to release Stuart Nelson, who played in every game this season.

Nelson, 30, kept 14 clean sheets in 46 games as Notts challenged for the play-offs in League One, but Curle still chose not to offer him a new deal.

It was unclear whether Curle planned to replace Nelson by promoting one of the club's two promising youngsters - Fabian Spiess or Liam Mitchell - into the first team, but the manager has made it clear he is pursuing a new first-choice keeper and Spiess and Mitchell will vie to be his understudy.

"I felt I needed to bring in a new goalkeeper and I know who I want," Curle told the Nottingham Post. "Being a number two and sitting on the bench would not have done Stuart any favours at this time of his career.

"We have got two exciting prospects as young goalkeepers and both of them will be vying for the number two spot. It is going to be interesting watching their progress in and around the first team and they could get their chance if I feel confident the time is right."